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| | Vapor Vanity |
Cook County is ending the prosecution of persons who are busted with misdemeanor amounts of cannabis, according to a suburban police department memo secured by CWBChicago.
The move is being taken under “prosecutor discretion” by Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx who “has related that she supports Gov. [JB] Pritzker’s push to legalize cannabis,” the memo said.
Under Foxx’s direction, criminal charges will not be pursued against persons who are caught with between 30 and 100 grams of cannabis for the first time and those found in possession of fewer than 30 grams of cannabis, the author said, citing an assistant state’s attorney in Foxx’s office.
The odor of cannabis will still be considered probable cause for police officers to conduct searches, according to the police department memo, which added that its officers will continue to arrest cannabis violators under a local ordinance.
Foxx’s office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Chicago police are currently barred by a departmental directive from arresting anyone solely for possession of fewer than 30 grams of cannabis unless the individual fails to comply with ticketing procedures or there are aggravating circumstances.
